An important new study by Boston University’s Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy, published last week, asserts that Reggie Fleming, a deceased professional hockey player, suffered brain damage associated with repeated head trauma. As written in The New York Times, these findings connect hockey “for the first time to health risks linked to boxers and, most recently, football players.” This new study is generating a great deal of press and momentum is continuing to build as there is a greater focus on the issue of concussion in hockey. To read the full article in The New York Times, visit: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/18/sports/hockey/18concussion.html?_r=1&ref=hockey.
By theEpidemic December 15th, 2009, under Uncategorized
Step 4: All the athlete to return to play only with permission from a health care professional with experience in evaluating for concussion.
A repeat concussion that occurs before the brain recovers from the first can slow recovery or increase the likelihood of having long-term problems. Prevent common long-term problems and the rare second impact syndrome by delaying the athlete’s return to the activity until the player receives appropriate medical evaluation and approval for return to play.
(Source: US Department of Health and Human Services: Center for Disease Control and Prevention)
Step 2: Ensure that the athlete is evaluated right away by an appropriate health care professional.
Do not try to judge the severity of the injury yourself. Health care professionals have a number of methods that they can use to assess the severity of concussions. As a coach, recording the following information can help the health care professionals in assessing the athlete after injury:
Cause of the Injury and the force of the hit or blow to the head
Any loss of consciousness (passed out/knocked out) and if so, for how long
Any memory loss immediately following the injury
Any seizures immediately following the injury
Number of previous concussions (If any)
(Source: US Department of Health and Human Services: Center for Disease Control and Prevention)
Look for the signs and symptoms of a concussion if your athlete has experienced a bump or blow to the head. Athletes who experience signs or symptoms of concussion should not be allowed to return to play. When in doubt, keep the athlete out of play.
(Source: US Department of Health and Human Services: Center for Disease Control and Prevention)
Next week, this blog will post a different step of the action plan that should be carried out when an athlete may have had a concussion. So check back next week for the step-by-step course on how to handle the situation.
(source: US Department of Health and Human Services: Center for Disease Control and Prevention)
There have been many articles posted about the recent meeting of NHL General Managers. The concussion epidemic was at the forefront of the meeting and seems to be gaining momentum in the hockey world. The ESPN and Yahoo! articles both mention the M11 as viable options for NHL players to be more protected.
See the list of articles below for recaps of the meeting.
Jonathan Toews holds his face after hitting the ice after a hard foul by Vancouver's Wille Mitchell. (Nuccio DiNuzzo, Chicago Tribune / October 21, 2009)
Chicago Tribune article, “Injury issue coming to head” features insight from NHL All-Star Keith Primeau on this seasons scary moments (including Blackhawks’ young captain Jonathon Toews struggling to get to the bench).
The NHL is being scrutinized for their lack of action after the Mike Richard’s hit on Florida’s David Booth. The Hockey News discusses the hit and lack of punishment in yesterday’s blog. Click Here If you haven’t seen it yet. Check out the YouTube clip below.
This Edmonton Sun article discusses the effects of concussion on Oilers’ star Souray, and how it is hurting the team.
“It appears the Edmonton Oilers will have to do without Sheldon Souray longer than they hoped or expected.
Initially diagnosed with a mild concussion after Jarome Iglina tripped him into the end boards in the third game of the season Oct. 8, Souray doesn’t appear even close to coming back. . .”
